Midland Post Office

Statement of Significance

Midland Post Office has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

It is a fine and rare example of civic government buildings constructed for large regional centres;

It is aesthetically linked with civic buildings within the historic civic precinct of Midland;

It is a fine example of the civic architecture of Hillson Beasley, Principal Government Architect, 1897-1905;

It is an important part of the streetscape of the town centre;

The building represents the development of telecommunication services in the State and particularly, to the growth of railway and industrial centres in the early 1900s; and,

The attached residence is a demonstration of a particular way of life of the postmaster in society at the time.

Outbuildings associated with the Post Office are assessed as having little cultural heritage significance at this time.

Physical Description

Midland Post Office is a two-storey brick building constructed in 1913, in a Federation Free Style. The building is sited on the street boundary making a strong public statement. It is built of plain red brick, using a struck joint in a stretcher bond pattern. The external walls are a combination of incised bands of brickwork and rendered/stucco mouldings and panels. The roof is tiled, with dark red Swiss tiles that replaced red Marseilles tiles. The roof features a lantern, three dormer shaped vents, and two (originally four) brick and rendered moulded chimneys. The tall, 6 and 9 paned double hung windows, with painted moulded render surrounds, complete the street facades.
Internally the building is dominated by a large postal hall. The hall runs the full depth of the building, and its scale is not evident from the exterior appearance of the building. The central volume of the hall is dominated by four large square columns with a plaster panelled ceiling. Both the columns and the ceiling are decorated with plaster mouldings. Renovations to the postal hall in 1991, included the removal of the front counter and low partitioning (c.1950-60). Further conservation works have been undertaken subsequently.

History

The building is of historic value for its association with the commitment by State and Federal Governments to the provision and growth of postal and telegraphic services to the railway and industrial centres in the early part of the 20th century. It also stands as a fine example of civic architecture designed by Government Architect Hillson Beasley.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.